What was the point in WE doing that? It costs them literally nothing to deliver electricity offpeak as their network capacity is determined by peak demand. Incidentally, they can expect peak demand to incrementally increase now as their domestic customers have no incentive to time-shift. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Reminds me how much I should appreciate Orion, with a 1.1 cent per kwh charge during nights and weekends

Someone mentioned this already, but it's effectively a price rise. Isn't there a regulation that prevents them doing this? I expect they'll have had their lawyers look it over to make sure they can get away with it.

Wellington Electricity seems like an investment company, rather than a power company - I think they're owned by overseas interests. My few interactions have been semi regular power cuts in winter due to overloading, an 8 month delay approving use of power poles for UFB, and now this.

nickb800:

What was the point in WE doing that? It costs them literally nothing to deliver electricity offpeak as their network capacity is determined by peak demand. Incidentally, they can expect peak demand to incrementally increase now as their domestic customers have no incentive to time-shift. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Reminds me how much I should appreciate Orion, with a 1.1 cent per kwh charge during nights and weekends

Given there's no competition I guess the logic was "we can increase the price, make more money, and there's nothing they can do about it".

droopanu:

Did a quick math and I get a 5-10% increase in price ... stink!

I still end up saving about ~17% from powershop (stead of ~22%), so flick still looks alright to me ..

A very small sample from eyeballing a few days data says I use around 10 units of power overnight, on water heating, dishwasher, heating, and sometimes the clothes drier. Some days it's 7, some days it's 15. But that means on average I will spend 60c per day extra, which is 20 - 25% of the savings moving to Flick. It's most annoyance at the arrogance that they can raise prices like that.

What was the point in WE doing that? It costs them literally nothing to deliver electricity offpeak as their network capacity is determined by peak demand. Incidentally, they can expect peak demand to incrementally increase now as their domestic customers have no incentive to time-shift.

I suspect the have spare capacity so they go x customer s leave but the rest that stay results in a pure profit. This parts the losses as the now get more c per kilowatt

If anyone has an electric vehicle (in Wellington) with > 12kW/h battery, I suggest you investigate the EVNITE rate, cheap power for the whole house 9PM - 7AM. Unless they are removing this as well (I don't have an EV to be on that plan).

For me, the network charge component is going to increase ~33% on average.

Perhaps one or more of the retailers have put pressure on WE to stop offering Flick the special rates we have been enjoying? Maybe Flick is attracting enough customers to make the other retailers nervous?

Perhaps one or more of the retailers have put pressure on WE to stop offering Flick the special rates we have been enjoying? Maybe Flick is attracting enough customers to make the other retailers nervous?

It won't happen unfortunately. Retailers have to abide by their UoSA with the network company and they don't have much leeway.

It's a dickhead move by Wellington Electricity, this sort of s**t is what stifles innovation by consumers.